Irstea and the National Strategy for Biodiversity: summary of actions taken in 2015

09/26/2016

In 2011, Irstea decided to commit itself to the National Strategy for Biodiversity (SNB). In 2014, it became the only research institute to be awarded SNB accreditation by the Ministry of the Environment, a clear acknowledgment of the actions undertaken to conserve biodiversity across its 9 research centers. Let's take a closer look at actions completed in 2015.

For over 30 years, Irstea has worked on challenges relating to the conservation of biodiversity. Its recent scientific work, linking biodiversity to ecosystem operation and human activity, has helped change the perspective on this field.

So it was a foregone conclusion that Irstea would respond to the invitation made in 2013 by the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and the Sea to companies, local authorities, organizations, public institutions and trade unions to implement a National Strategy for Biodiversity (SNB). A total of 33 projects were awarded the "Recognized Commitment to the National Strategy for Biodiversity" label, including the project by Irstea, the only research institute.

How was Irstea’s commitment in 2015 assessed?

Based on a set of specific measurements for its 9 centers, Irstea’s commitment focuses on 3 main themes: research, communication, and ecological management of the centers.

Research

Biodiversity, specifically the biodiversity of forest and freshwater environments, represents a central research pillar for the institute. In 2015, particular attention was paid to:

funding and supervising dissertations (5 defended in 2015 - 57 ongoing) and high-level students of biodiversity

publishing almost 150 articles in scientific journals and 5 books targeting a wide range of readers

participating in symposiums and conferences

and significant investment into research programs such as the "Water and Territories" program led by the Ministry of the Environment, the CNRS and Irstea.

This investment was rewarded several times during 2015 by prizes or nominations, including:

the "Coup de coeur" Biocleantech 2015 Prize awarded by Tremplin Entreprises for the BIOMAE start-up, created in 2014 by 3 Irstea scientists and specializing in ecotoxicology of aquatic environments.

Election of Alain Dutartre (a hydrobiologist and specialist in aquatic environments who has spent the majority of his career at Irstea) as president of the Aquitaine Regional Agency for Biodiversity.

Ecological management of the centers

Across the 9 centers, actions served to underline the institute’s exemplary commitment to protecting biodiversity: clearing a fire perimeter, not mowing the grass to allow key plants for pollinators to flower, taking stock and conserving flora and fauna, certifying the sites as LPO (Society for the Protection of Birds) sanctuaries, managing green waste, installing hives and shared gardens, as well as providing events for staff to create social ties and links to the surrounding human and geographical environment.
These actions will be continued!

The national strategy for biodiversity

As the political response to the erosion of biodiversity, the national strategy for biodiversity brings stakeholders together around 3 central challenges:

Reinforce our capacity to act together for biodiversity at various local and regional levels

Use and make data and information relating to biodiversity more accessible to more people

Deal with new emerging issues, particularly relating to climate change and the benefits and services provided by ecosystems.